The source code is the main component of computer programs that was made by professional programmers. You can easily read and understand the source code. Here is an example, the professional programmer will use the windows notepad and type in a sequence of the letter C then he or she will save it as a text file, then the file will state that it has a source code.

The source code and object code are usually called the before and the after version of computer programs that are compiled. Script program languages are also considered as non compiled just like the JavaScript. The source and object code is not included in the script language program since they only have one form of code. Programmers can actually create source codes through the integrated development, text editor and visual programming. For large program development, they usually have a management system that can be very helpful to programmers since it tracks the different levels and states of the file of the source code. The licensing agreement of can determine the source code. The code can be open or proprietary. Here is a great example of open and proprietary source codes; The source code is considered as proprietary if the programmers installs a software such as Microsoft Office and it is an open source code if it installs software the can be downloaded or modified such as Apache OpenOffice. The source code is considered as proprietary if the person can access the compiled executable that are part of associated files that are needed to use other program functions. Check out 61850 stack at this link for more info.

There are software vendors that do not offer their source codes because they want to prevent any changes that can be done to their software licenses that can modify source codes and to protect their intellectual property. This is the proprietary source code. Read more about DNP3 stack at this link.

Open source codes should be available to anyone since the different developers had improve the software so it is much more secure and robust. Anyone can freely take open source codes. There are some developers that use source codes to make similar software programs for operating platforms. This is not an easy task if it has no coding instructions. Data communication protocol is used for creating and controlling networks and automation. The data communication protocol is considered as an open source code. Anyone can share this code and use this code. Programmers that have access to source codes can be part of the community by sharing some codes for them to learn the process.

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Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code for more information.